Senator Assails Congressional Leaders for Sneaking Surveillance Extension into Must-Pass Defense Bill
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Republican Senator Mike Lee criticized congressional leaders for including a 4-month extension of a surveillance program in the NDAA bill that allows spying on Americans.
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Lee lampooned the top Congressional lawmakers from both parties as being a self-serving "law firm" that doesn't listen to the people they represent.
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The surveillance program, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), allows spying on foreigners but privacy advocates warn it is used to target Americans.
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Lee joked that Congress holds must-pass bills like the NDAA hostage to push through unpopular provisions, threatening lawmakers who oppose them.
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Congress is expected to vote on the omnibus NDAA bill this week before year's end to authorize critical military funding, despite objections over non-defense related items.